Desert Claim wind farm hearing process begins
The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, or EFSEC, announced it has set April 17 as the deadline for interested parties to file petitions to have EFSEC formally recognize them as "intervenors" in the coming adjudication proceedings.
An intervenor, according to EFSEC rules, is an individual or group that is recognized as having legal standing in EFSEC's project review process to decide whether or not to recommend the approval of the wind farm to Gov. Chris Gregoire.
Adjudication hearings before EFSEC on the wind farm proposal may be conducted, at the earliest, this summer, although they have yet to be scheduled. The hearings are conducted with courtroom-like proceedings overseen by a state administrative law judge.
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The EFSEC members sit in on the adjudicative hearings somewhat like a judge to make their project recommendation.
EFSEC officials have indicated it is their hope to make that recommendation to the governor, at the latest, by the end of the year, or as early as this fall. Gregoire makes the final decision on approving the construction and operation of the wind farm.
Proposed by enXco Inc., a French-owned renewable energy development firm, is a 95-turbine project spread on 5,200 acres north of Smithson Road.
The project's revised configuration, according to company statements, features a 75 percent reduction in the number of residences located within 2,500 feet of proposed wind turbine sites.
EFSEC officials said the number of "non-participating" residences located within 2,500 feet of a turbine site has been reduced to seven.
David Steeb, enXco's project director, said the company welcomes the opportunity in the adjudication process for people to learn about the economic benefits the wind farm can bring to Kittitas County. He said the company has heard from many people concerned about the area's economic well being who want to speak during the hearings on behalf of the project in light of those benefits.
EFSEC, in an announcement, said those individuals and groups wanting formal intervenor status must file with EFSEC before 5 p.m. April 17. Intervenor status allows them to present testimony for or against the project during the adjudication hearings, ask questions and cross-examine witnesses and provide expert witnesses.
EFSEC also has set a prehearing conference for 1:30 p.m. April 23 at the Hal Holmes Community Center to hear from enXco any objections to those filing for intervenor status.
EFSEC also will hear oral comments on April 23 from the intervenor applicants as to why they have a stake in the outcome of the decision on the wind farm and why they should be granted intervenor status.
Rules on filing for intervenor status and other information on the Desert Claim proceedings can be found online at: www.efsec.wa.gov.
Allen Fiksdal, EFSEC manager, said the general public can submit comments at any time in writing to: EFSEC, 905 Plum St. SE, Building 3, P.O. Box 43172, Olympia, WA 98504-3172, or by e-mail to: allenf@cted.wa.gov.